2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Our Palau expedition brings you into an aquamarine world of rare old-growth coral gardens, saltwater waterfalls, outer-reef walls teeming with schools of brilliantly colored tropical fish, and hidden marine lakes that our expert Trip Leaders discovered. Snorkel over the wreck of a Zero Fighter airplane from World War II, paddle across the cream-colored waters of the Milky Way, kayak beneath a mangrove canopy draped with Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking EXPERIENCE THE PACIFIC PARADISE OF THE ROCK ISLANDS beaches and are for our exclusive use. They offer special access to this natural history paradise, along with delightful barbecues, crimson sunrises and sunsets, and unbelievable stargazing. Days 1-4 Koror / Babeldaob Island / Nikko Bay / Risong Bay Our hike on volcanic Babeldaob Island leads us to an inviting swimming hole for a dip, and we’ll learn about ancient Palauan culture on a visit to a bai , a traditional men’s meeting house. In Nikko Bay, sheltered by the castle-like limestone walls of the Rock Islands, we kayak over vibrant thousand-year-old coral forests. At Risong Bay, we explore marine lakes and isolated turquoise bays, each with its own unique habitat, and snorkel in the pristine Blue Devil Gardens, where schools of blue devil damselfish shimmer between the corals. Days 5-6 Einstein’s Garden / Long Lake Snorkeling over a Zero Fighter airplane submerged in shallow waters is a thrill, and we’ll explore multicolored Einstein’s Garden (named for its proliferation of giant lobophyllia brain corals). As we kayak through mangroves into mile-long Long Lake, a nursery for baby eagle rays and turtles, the skies overhead may be full of tropical avians. Days 7-10 Giant Clam Beach / Big Drop-Off / Peleliu We’ll see Palau’s big bivalves at Giant Clam Beach, and at the Big Drop-Off (Palau’s legendary Ngemelis Wall), we discover a kaleidoscopic world of tube sponges, sea fans, Moorish idols, pyramid butterflyfish, square anthias, sergeant majors, and yellowtail fusiliers. After visiting haunting battle sites on Peleliu, the scene of fierce fighting during World War II, return to Koror and depart on Day 10, or extend to look for Palau’s “Big Five” marine species. hanging orchids, and learn about Palau’s rich cultural traditions. Our Trip Leaders are natural teachers, and Palau’s phenomenally scenic Rock Islands, rising like emeralds in a cerulean sea, provide a stunning backdrop. Our private camps are tucked away on isolated

FRITS MEYST

RON LEIDICH

At our exclusive private island camps, we are surrounded by the natural wonders of the Rock Islands.

DETAILS • 10-day trip begins and ends in Koror • 3 nights beach resorts, 6 nights full-service camping • All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners DATES Nov 9-18, 2018 Jan 11-20, 2020 Jan 21-30, 2019 Feb 10-19 Feb 5-14 Mar 10-19 Mar 8-17 Oct 1-10 Oct 14-23 Nov 1-10 Nov 14-23 Nov 29-Dec 8 Nov 27-Dec 6

TRIP COST $6495 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $640

HIGHLIGHTS • Snorkel, kayak, hike, and boat in the Rock Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of spectacular limestone islands and healthy coral reefs • Experience Palau’s marine biodiversity, with 700 coral species and 1,500 species of reef fish • Visit a Palauan “men’s house,” swim with stingless jellyfish, explore Peleliu Island and its World War II relics

Internal airfare: $175 (subject to change) Palau’s Big Five Extension: from $1995

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Snorkeling, easy to moderate sea kayaking (3-5 hours a day), easy hikes, exploration by boat

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR PACIFIC TRIPS, VISIT WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/PACIFIC 102